There’s something truly special about hitting the open road in Australia—the freedom to explore our vast and varied landscapes, the joy of discovering charming towns, and the simple pleasure of a good road trip with family or friends.
When it comes to driving, we Australians love to think we’re the best behind the wheel—cool, calm, and collected, with a healthy respect for the road rules.
However, a new study has revealed that not all states and cities are created equal when it comes to safe driving, and the results might surprise you!
According to data collected by ROLLiN’ Insurance, which analysed more than 18 million kilometres of real-world driving through its Safe’n’Save app, South Australia has emerged as the safest state for drivers.
With an impressive safety score of 90.3 out of 100, South Aussies are leading the pack regarding responsible road behaviour.
Queensland and Western Australia aren’t far behind, scoring 89.6 and 88.9, respectively. The sunshine and wide-open roads might be helping driver safety!
But it’s not just the states being ranked—cities are in the spotlight too. Geelong, in Victoria, has claimed the title of Australia’s safest city for drivers, with a remarkable score of 92.
Adelaide and the Sunshine Coast tied for second place, each with a score of 90.5. If you’re living in one of these areas, give yourself a pat on the back!
Despite these positive results, Australia still faces a serious road safety challenge. Every year, around 1,200 people lose their lives and over 40,000 are seriously injured on our roads.
These sobering statistics are a reminder that there’s always room for improvement, no matter where you live.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has been named the riskiest region for drivers, with a safety score of just 86.4. That might not sound too bad, but every point counts regarding road safety.
A separate study by iSelect supports these findings, revealing that risky driving habits are too common in the ACT.
A whopping 57 per cent of drivers admitted to speeding, 25 per cent confessed to driving while extremely tired, and 20.6 per cent admitted to using their mobile phone without hands-free.
These behaviours aren’t just dangerous—they could also impact your car insurance if you’re ever in an accident.
So, what’s behind these differences? Experts say it’s a mix of factors, including the quality of local roads, how strictly traffic laws are enforced, the effectiveness of driver education, and even the local driving culture.
Areas with high safety scores, like Geelong and South Australia, may benefit from better road infrastructure, more visible police presence, and strong public awareness campaigns.
Conversely, lower-score regions might struggle with heavier traffic, less effective enforcement, or a more relaxed attitude towards the rules.
Adrian Bennett from iSelect pointed out that risky behaviours like speeding, drowsy driving, and using your phone behind the wheel don’t just put you in danger—they could also affect your insurance claims if you’re involved in a crash.
With one in six Australian drivers admitting to at least one dangerous habit, it’s clear that we all have a part to play in making our roads safer.
Speeding is the most common offence, with 41.2 per cent of drivers admitting to it, while nearly one in five have driven while extremely tired.
If you’re guilty of any of these, now’s the time to take action, not just for your safety but for everyone else on the road.
Do you agree with these findings? Have you noticed differences in driving habits when you travel between states or cities? Or do you have your tips for staying safe on the road? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—share them in the comments below!
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